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PCS members on strike today over Balfour Beatty job losses

PCS members working for a contractor in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are today on strike over compulsory redundancies at Balfour Beatty.

Workers in call centres, job centres and offices in Glasgow, Watford, Cardiff, Washington, Fylde and London are walking out for two hours between 9.30 and 11.30am.

The Balfour Beatty employees are angry that around 300 colleagues are facing compulsory redundancy on the lowest pay-off terms allowed by law. Around 700 PCS members work for Balfour Beatty on a contract to provide the DWP with services including messengers, typists and telephone staff.

Balfour Beatty is fast acquiring a reputation as an anti-union company, not only because to their attacks on the working conditions of sparks, but also as one of the companies involved in the blacklisting scandal.

In a ballot 59% of those taking part voted for strike action, while 80% voted for action short of a strike.

The two hour walkout will be followed by industrial action short of a strike, including an overtime ban.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka, said: “This dispute is a result of privatisation creating a two tier workforce.

“Balfour Beatty staff work alongside civil servants but are treated much worse. There has been no attempt to redeploy people facing redundancy and the terms on offer are the lowest the company can get away with and stay within the law.

“It is also ridiculous to cut staff in jobcentres and DWP call centres when unemployment is rising and more people need help to find work or to claim benefits.

“The government should be creating jobs to stimulate the economy – not cutting back even more.”